SET-UP NOTES FOR SUSPENSION

REAR SUSPENSION
For 2002, Kona uses 8 different models of shocks on their rear suspension models. These are all made by FOX USA and include Vanilla, Vanilla R & RC, Vanilla DH RC, FLOAT, FLOAT R & RL .

FLOAT shocks are air sprung and have negative air that creates more active initial stroke. Vanilla shocks are coil-over style shocks. If the shock model ends with R, it has external rebound adjustment. If the shock model ends with RC, it has external rebound and compression adjustment. If the shock model ends with an RL it has external rebound and lockout. It is necessary to adjust sag in order to get the best performance out of your dual suspension Kona. Set-up is done best when you have someone to help you.

  1. Refer to the chart to for eye to eye w/o rider measurement. This is the distance between upper and lower bolts that attach the shock to the frame. Make sure your bike has correct shock length.
  2. Sit on the bike with your weight in a neutral position (centered). Have an assistant measure the distance between the upper and lower shock mounting bolts (eye to eye w rider sag). For a good starting point, you want to match the measurement listed in the eye to eye w rider sag column.
  3. To increase the eye to eye measurement, add air pressure on Float shocks or tighten the pre-load spring on Vanilla shocks. To decrease the eye to eye measurement release air pressure (Float) or loosening the pre-load spring (Vanilla).
  4. Repeat steps 2 - 3 until proper sag is achieved.

MODEL

EYE TO EYE W/O RIDER

SHOCK TRAVEL

WHEEL TRAVEL

EYE TO EYE W/ RIDER SAG

Kahuna/Mokomoko/Manomano/King Kikapu
VANILLA / FLOAT / FLOAT R / FLOAT RL

6.5"
165 mm

1.5"
38.1mm

3.4"
86mm

6.1"
155mm

Bear / Bear Dee-Lux
FLOAT R / FLOAT RL

6.5"
165 mm

1.5"
38.1mm

4 "
101mm

6.1"
155mm

Stinky
VANILLA

7.9"
200mm

2"
50.8mm

5 "
126mm

7.4"
187.3mm

Stinky Dee-Lux / Stinky Primo
VANILLA R / VANILLA RC

7.9" 
200mm

2"
50.8mm

6 "
152mm

7.4"
187.3mm

Stinky Nine / Stab Primo
DH VANILLA RC

8.75"
222 mm

2.75"
70mm

8.4" - 213mm
short wheelbase

8"
204mm


Rebound Adjustment (R )
Rebound is adjusted using the red clicker knob. The rebound adjuster controls the speed at which the shock returns after compression. It has 12 clicks for a wide range of adjustment. Rebound should be set so he shock returns as fast as possible without pushing you off of the saddle. During your first few rides experiment with the adjusters noting the setting and the ride. The proper setting is a personal preference and varies depending on rider weight, riding conditions and riding style.

Compression Adjustment ( RC )
Compression is adjusted using the blue clicker knob. It controls the speed at which the shock compresses through the stroke of the shock. The shock offers a wide range of adjustment. Rebound should be set so that the shock will return as fast as possible without pushing you off the saddle. During your first few rides experiment with the adjusters noting the setting and the ride.

Compression Adjustment ( RL ) Rebound is adjusted using the red clicker knob on the shock. Compression is locked out using the blue lever on the shock.

FOX SHOCK TERMINOLOGY

SHOCK SAG: The amount the shock compresses with rider sitting on bike in normal riding position. This is usually 15% to 25% of total shock travel. Cross country: 15% to 25% suggested, Downhill 25% suggested

COMPRESSION DAMPENING: The oil resistance felt when trying to compress the shock

REBOUND: After a shock is compressed it will extend because of spring force

REBOUND DAMPENING: Rebound dampening controls the rate at which the shock will extend

PRELOAD: The initial amount of force placed on the spring

SPRING RATE: The force needed to compress the spring one inch

FLOAT: This air negative spring self adjusts the air negative chamber to optimum performance based on positive air chamber pressure. This delivers performance of a coil with the ease of adjustability and light weight of an air shock.

FOX PUMP INSTRUCTION- Thread pump onto air valve(approx. 4 turns). When pump is properly installed PSI will register on pump gauge. Stroke the pump a few cycles, pressure should increase slowly. If pressure increases rapidly, check that pump is properly fitted and tightened onto the valve.. NOTE: If shock has no air pressure, the gauge will not register. Pump to desired PSI setting. When unthreading pump from air valve fitting, the sound of air loss is from the pump hose, NOT the shock itself

NOTE: If you re-attach the pump, the hose will re-fill with air. The will result in a lower PSI registering of approximately 15 to 20 PSI on the gauge. Average setting is 100-300 PSI. DO NOT EXCEED 300 PSI. Replace shock valve cap before riding. Fox pump is an option, available from Kona Mountain Bikes

VANILLA R / VANILLA DH RC

NEW

EVERY RIDE

8 HRS

40 HRS

200 HRS

SET SHOCK SAG

       

SET REBOUND ADJUSTMENT TO DESIRED SPEED

       

TIGHTEN SHOCK MOUNTING BOLTS

 

ADJUST AIR PRESSURE IN AIR SHOCKS ONLY

 

CLEAN SHAFT,SEAL AREA,CHECK SHAFT FOR DAMAGE

 

CLEAN OUT BOTTOM BUMPER ON COIL SHOCKS

 

CLEAN ALUMINUM REDUCER, CHECK WEAR, GREASE

     

OIL CHANGE/ INSPECTION FROM SERVICE CENTER

       

FLOAT R / FLOAT RC

AIR SLEEVE MAINTENANCE FOR RIDING CONDITIONS

         

CLEAN UNDER AIR SLEEVE LIP

 

RIDING CONDITIONS: DRY, DUSTY

   

RIDING CONDITIONS: EXTREME MUD, HEAVY GRIT

 


FRONT SUSPENSION- For 2002 Kona has used a variety of suspension forks. Travel ranges from 2 to 7" depending on the model. For any suspension fork you have to adjust sag to get the best performance. Fork makers suggest that the sag measures 1Ú4 of the total travel. Sag for all suspension forks is measured best the following way:
  1. Make sure that the stanchion protectors (dirt boots) won't interfere with your set-up. They can be removed or one can be zip strapped to the top of the stanchion tube right under the fork crown.
  2. Install a zip strap around stanchion, slide it down until contact is made with dust seal located at top of fork leg.
  3. Sit on bike with your feet on the pedals, leaning against a wall. Don't bounce on the pedals or saddle.
  4. Carefully get off of the bike without bouncing or compressing the suspension.
  5. Measure the distance between zip strap and the black seal to get the sag. Decrease sag by increasing the forks' pre-load (turn knobs clockwise) or increasing the forks air pressure, increase sag by decreasing pre-load (turn knobs counter clockwise) or decreasing the forks pressure. Refer to chart on next page for recommended sag

FRONT SUSPENSION CHART

MODEL

FORK

TRAVEL

SAG

HULA

SUNTOUR M7800

2.5" - 63mm

ALOHA

SUNTOUR T870

1.6" – 40mm

0.4" – 10mm

TIKI

SUNTOUR T890

2"– 50mm

0.5" – 12.5mm

LANAÕI

SUNTOUR NEX60

2.5" - 63mm

0.6" – 16mm

HAHANNA

SUNTOUR XCC

2.5" - 63mm

0.6" – 16mm

FIRE MOUNTAIN

SUNTOUR XCC

2.9" - 73mm

0.75" - 18.3mm

BLAST

ROCK SHOX JUDY TT

3.1" - 80mm

0.78" – 20mm

LAVA DOME

ROCK SHOX JUDY TT

3.1" - 80mm

0.78" – 20mm

NUNU

ROCK SHOX JUDY TT

3.1" - 80mm

0.78" – 20mm

CINDER CONE

MARZOCCHI BOMBER EXR air

3.1" - 80mm

0.78" – 20mm

CALDERA

MARZOCCHI BOMBER EXR air

3.1" - 80mm

0.78" – 20mm

MUNI-MULA

MARZOCCHI BOMBER MXC air

3.1" - 80mm

0.78" – 20mm

PAHOEHOE

MARZOCCHI BOMBER MXC air

3.1" - 80mm

0.78" – 20mm

EXPLOSIF

MARZOCCHI BOMBER MXR air

3.1" - 80mm

0.78" – 20mm

KULA

MARZOCCHI BOMBER MXR air

3.1" - 80mm

0.78" – 20mm

KAHUNA

ROCK SHOX JUDY TT

3.1" - 80mm

0.78" – 20mm

MANOMANO

MARZOCCHI BOMBER EXR air

3.1" - 80mm

0.78" – 20mm

MOKOMOKO

MARZOCCHI BOMBER MXR air

3.1" - 80mm

0.78" – 20mm

KING KIKAPU

MARZOCCHI MARATHON S air

3.1" - 80mm

0.78" – 20mm

BEAR

MARZOCCHI BOMBER MXC air

3.9" - 100mm

1" – 25mm

BEAR DEE-LUX

FOX F100RL air

3.9" - 100mm

1" – 25mm

STUFF

MARZOCCHI BOMBER EXR coil

3.9" - 100mm

1" – 25mm

ROAST

MARZOCCHI BOMBER EXR coil

3.9" - 100mm

1" – 25mm

CHUTE

MARZOCCHI BOMBER DJ2 coil

4.3" - 110mm

1.1" – 28mm

STINKY

MARZOCCHI Z1 WEDGE coil

5.1" - 130mm

1.3" – 32.5mm

STINKY DEE-LUX

MARZOCCHI Z1 Dropoff QR20 coil

5.1" - 130mm

1.3" – 32.5mm

STINKY PRIMO

MARZOCCHI Z1 FR QR20 coil

5.1" - 130mm

1.3" – 32.5mm

STINKY NINE

MARZOCCHI SHIVER WC DH coil

7.5" - 190mm

1.9" – 47.5mm

STAB PRIMO

MARZOCCHI SHIVER WC DH coil

7.5" - 190mm

1.9" – 47.5mm

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